recipes

Learn why foil-packet cooking is hot, hot, hot

(Family Features) As the saying goes, big things come in small packages and that may explain the burgeoning popularity of foil-packet recipes. Minimal preparation and cleanup are easy trade-offs for the immense flavors you can create in these tiny containers, whether you prepare them in the oven, on the grill or over an open flame.

The secret to successful foil cooking is locking in the layers of flavor from each ingredient. It’s surprisingly simple to create delicious, healthy dishes when cooking with foil. An ingredient like seasoned rice vinegar offers a wholesome alternative to many condiments and flavorings while giving your packet a big flavor boost.

With no artificial preservatives, flavors or ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup, Nakano® Rice Vinegars are the perfect solution for building better-for-you foil-packet meals. With organic varieties and easy-to-read labels featuring real, recognizable ingredients, you can feel great about layering delicious flavor into your next foil-packet meal with rice vinegar.

Garlic seasoned rice vinegar delivers a boost of flavor to this Asian-inspired chicken, creating a sensational main dish. Add crisp fresh veggies tossed with organic rice vinegar and garlic as a side then finish the meal with a sweet take on a juicy fruit crisp.

A 12-inch square piece of foil is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust depending on the recipe. Remember you’ll need plenty of extra room around the ingredients for the heat to build up and cook the contents to perfection.

Use heavy-duty foil to avoid tears or poor seals that can spill ingredients and precious seasonings and juices.

Spread foil on a flat surface and add a light nonstick spray, if needed.

Place ingredients and seasonings in the center of the foil.

Bring long sides of the foil together over the food. Pinch together and make 1/2-inch folds straight across at least twice for a strong seal. Remember to leave plenty of open space between the foil and food.

Make 1/2-inch folds on each short end, folding toward food but leaving at least 1 1/2-2 inches between the seam and food.

Handle pouch with care to avoid piercing or tearing, and always use tongs to remove pouches from heat.

Substitutions: In place of gochujang, red pepper flake paste can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes with a few dashes soy sauce and 1 dash sugar. Alternatively, substitute 2 teaspoons sriracha for gochujang.

Bartlett Pear and Oat Crisp

Servings: 4Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 30 minutes

4 cups fresh pears, medium diced

4 tablespoons Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Mango

3/4 cup quick oats

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

6 tablespoons butter, diced into 1/4-inch squares

Heat oven to 375° F.

Toss pears in rice vinegar and set into lightly greased foil pouch.

Combine remaining ingredients in bowl and use two forks to combine ingredients until mixture becomes crumbly.

Pour mixture evenly over pears, seal pouch and bake 20 minutes.

Open top of foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

(Family Features) Chicken is one of America’s favorite foods, so much so that every American ate an average of 84 pounds last year. Although it’s a great go-to ingredient for a family dinner, it’s easy to get tired of the same old chicken recipes. To help combat chicken fatigue, Hellmann’s® mayonnaise has teamed up with Chef Tim Love to launch the “Chicken Change-Up,” offering simple and family-friendly recipe ideas, tips and tricks to help inspire parents when preparing the nightly meal.

“Chicken dishes are a staple in my household,” says celebrity chef, dad and author Tim Love. “I’m always looking for inspiration to create different types of chicken recipes and — no matter the dish — Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise made with simple ingredients like oil, vinegar and 30 percent cage-free eggs, is my secret for keeping chicken juicy and crispy.”Whatever your dinnertime challenge, with recipes such as Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Baked Buffalo Chicken, Hellmann’s® can transform your chicken into a juicier, crispier, more delicious meal that the whole family will love.

Visit www.Facebook.com/Hellmanns to participate in the Chicken Change-Up, where you can find more dinnertime recipes, tips and tricks.

Trim meat if needed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Transfer to large bowl.

Spoon half of mustard mixture over beef; toss gently to coat. Place in zipper plastic bag and marinate for least an hour in the refrigerator.

On 10-inch skewers, thread meat, leaving 1/4 inch between pieces.

Preheat grill.

Reduce heat to medium (on a gas grill). Place meat skewers on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill 8 to 10 minutes or until meat reaches desired doneness, turning once and brushing with remaining mustard mixture halfway through grilling.

Preparation

Combine bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper in large shallow dish; set aside.

Combine mayonnaise, mustard and poultry seasoning with wire whisk in small bowl and season, if desired, with salt and pepper.

Season turkey, if desired, with salt and pepper. Brush 1 side of each turkey cutlet with mayonnaise mixture, then coat in bread crumbs.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook 2 turkey cutlets, bread side down, 3 minutes or until golden brown and a crust has formed. Turn over and cook an additional 2 minutes or until turkey is thoroughly cooked. Repeat with remaining oil and turkey.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Serves

4

Notes, Tips & Suggestions:

(Family Features) This year, make your Easter ham effortless by ditching the oven and using your slow cooker instead. While most people think about slow cooking for staples like chili and stew, it’s also perfect for center-of-the-plate feasts — like an Easter ham.

Using the slow cooker, you can minimize both prep time and cleanup time, leaving plenty of room in the day for church, hunting eggs and enjoying time with your loved ones.

Ham is a tradition for many families this time of year, and because it pairs well with a multitude of ingredients, you can create a unique dish every time.

For a fresh spin on the classic ham, try this Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham recipe from the National Pork Board. Apple cider and bourbon (or vanilla extract, if you prefer) combine to create a rich flavor complemented by the sweetness of brown sugar.

Preparation

Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until very tender. Remove ham to rest on cutting board. Pass remaining cooking liquid through fine mesh sieve into saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced. Carve ham into serving pieces. Brush ham pieces with cooking liquid before arranging on platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

4 to 8 hours

Serves

12 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

For a non-alcoholic alternative, replace the bourbon with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Ham, Apple and Cheddar Crepes

Ingredients

3 cups ham, shredded and warmed

1 3/4 cups 2% milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

4 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Granny Smith apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced

Cheese Sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 cup 2% milk

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

Preparation

Pour milk, butter, eggs and salt in blender. Mix until well combined. Add flour. Mix for 15 to 20 seconds or until smooth. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Heat an 8-inch crepe pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat well with nonstick cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup batter into pan, swirl to fully cover bottom of pan. Cook for 1 minute or until crepe begins to curl around edges. Carefully flip and cook for an additional 30 seconds or until set. Transfer to plate. Repeat with additional cooking spray and remaining batter. Layer cooked crepes between pieces of wax paper to prevent sticking.

Lay a crepe on clean work surface. Arrange few slices of apple on quarter of crepe; top with shredded ham. Fold crepe in half to cover filling and fold in half again to create triangular shape. Repeat with remaining crepes, apple and ham. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and hold in warm oven until ready to serve, or up to 30 minutes.

For cheese sauce, melt butter in saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in flour until well coated. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until pale and smooth. Whisk in milk, a splash at a time, until smooth; stir in mustard, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until thick enough to coat back of spoon. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheese, a small handful at a time, until melted and smooth.

Place filled crepes on each plate. Spoon cheese sauce over each crepe and sprinkle with chives.

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Serves

6 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

All the elements of the recipe can be prepared a day in advance and gently warmed before assembling.